Geneva Talks – Kiriyenko in Sokhumi and Tskhinvali – Date for ‘Elections’ Set in Tskhinvali, Kambolov‘s Candidacy Suggested – New Russian Envoy in Sokhumi – Russian Airline Shifts Flights from Sochi to Sokhumi
Below is the weekly digest of key developments and discourses in and around the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, as well as those concerning Tbilisi–Moscow relations.
Main: Geneva Talks
The 67th round of the Geneva International Discussions, a multilateral forum for addressing the security and humanitarian consequences of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, was held in Geneva on June 30-July 1. The foreign ministries of Georgia and Russia, the talks’ co-chairs, as well as participants from the occupied regions, issued statements and comments on the latest round.
Several new points emerged from the usually repetitive concluding statements. In particular, Tbilisi said its delegation “expressed deep concern” over the so-called treaty on the Deepening of Allied Cooperation signed on May 9 between Moscow and Tskhinvali, as well as its “rushed implementation,” describing the treaty as “null and void” from a legal standpoint and as constituting a “gross violation” of international law.
Meanwhile, Moscow and the occupied regions, once again calling for a “legally binding agreement on the non-use of force between Georgia and the two sovereign republics,” raised alarm over the “strengthening of cooperation between NATO and Georgia,” pointing to “military exercises and other training activities” conducted by the alliance in the South Caucasus country. Read more here.
Sokhumi
- New Russian ‘Ambassador’ Appointed to Abkhazia, and What It Means
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Vyacheslav Gladkov, the former governor of Russia’s Belgorod Region, as the new so-called ambassador to occupied Abkhazia. He has already presented copies of his letters of credence to the de facto acting foreign minister of Abkhazia, Irakli Tuzhba.
The appointment has prompted mixed reactions in Abkhazia, with observers offering differing assessments of what Gladkov’s arrival could mean for Moscow’s policy toward the region.
Abkhaz journalist Inal Khashig, who was recently removed from Russia’s register of “foreign agents,” says Gladkov is backed by Sergey Kiriyenko, a Kremlin official known to be overseeing Georgia’s occupied territories. According to Khashig, the appointment indicates that Russia’s policy toward Abkhazia will become more coordinated. He believes one of Gladkov’s key tasks will be to restore communication with the full spectrum of Abkhaz political actors.
Sokhumi-based blogger Kirill Bazilevsky claims that Gladkov’s ties to Kiriyenko are likely to accelerate efforts to harmonize Abkhaz “legislation” with Russian law, simplify procedures for Russian businesses, and advance joint initiatives. In his view, the new post is not “an honorary retirement” for Gladkov but rather a continuation of his public service on what he describes as “one of Russia’s most strategically sensitive fronts.”
The Telegram channel Abkhazia Center, however, views the appointment differently, describing it as “an obvious and serious demotion” that effectively removes Gladkov from Russia’s political scene. According to the channel, Gladkov’s political stature grew after February 2022, when Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine turned the Belgorod Region into a frontline area. His active public communication during shelling and drone attacks, along with his calls for stronger military protection for the region, made him one of Russia’s most prominent regional governors. The channel suggests the Kremlin is wary of officials who become too politically prominent or display excessive independence, pointing to Gladkov’s criticism of restrictions on Telegram and the state-backed messaging platform Max.
In Abkhazia, attention is now focused on whether the new Russian envoy will engage with the local opposition. His predecessor, Mikhail Shurgalin, demonstratively avoided contact with opposition representatives throughout his tenure and publicly referred to them as “marginal groups.”
- Nordwind Shifts Capacity from Sochi to Sokhumi
Russian airline Nordwind has reduced its summer flight schedule to Sochi while increasing the number of flights to Sokhumi, in what it describes as an “optimization” of its seasonal operations.
While Nordwind did not specify the reasons behind the changes, the decision follows repeated disruptions at Sochi Airport caused by Ukrainian drone attacks. Temporary airport closures during such incidents have forced aircraft to divert to alternative airports and led to lengthy delays, increasing operational costs for airlines.
Nordwind is the first major Russian carrier to significantly scale back its Sochi operations under these circumstances and expand its presence in Sokhumi. In Abkhazia, the move has been welcomed as an opportunity to further position Sokhumi as a regional “air transport hub” and strengthen the region’s appeal as a tourist destination.
- Yet Another Visit of Sergey Kiriyenko to Sokhumi
Sergey Kiriyenko has arrived in Sokhumi on a working visit, where he met with the de facto president of Abkhazia, Badra Gunba, to discuss the implementation of joint Russian-Abkhaz projects.
According to the de facto authorities, the meeting focused on cooperation in the social, economic, and infrastructure sectors. The sides reviewed the implementation of the Russian-Abkhaz preferential lending investment program and discussed agreements signed during the 2026 “Abkhazian Economic Forum” in April.
As part of his visit, Kiriyenko toured several infrastructure projects in Abkhazia that are being implemented with Russian financial support.
Tskhinvali
- ‘Presidential Vote’ Set for September 18 in Occupied Tskhinvali
The de facto MPs set September 18 as the date for the “presidential elections,” following the resignation of the region’s de facto leader, Alan Gagloev, who became an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Until a new de facto head of the occupied territory is “elected,” the duties are being temporarily carried out by Marat Kambolov, a longtime official in Russian federal government bodies who was appointed Tskhinvali’s de facto “prime minister” weeks earlier.
The changes in Tskhinvali’s “leadership” come amid the so-called “Treaty on Deepening Allied Cooperation” signed between Moscow and Tskhinvali on May 9 and already ratified by both sides. This is the same treaty over which the Georgian delegation in Geneva expressed “deep concern.”
- Kambolov May Run in Tskhinvali’s ‘Presidential Vote’
After the so-called “parliament” of the occupied Tskhinvali region approved September 18 as the date for “early presidential election,” a petition in support of Marat Kambolov’s nomination as a candidate for “president” was submitted to the local “electoral administration.” The Res local news agency reports that the next step is a meeting of the initiative group to nominate Kambolov, scheduled for July 7.
- Kambolov, Kiriyenko Discuss Operations of Nizhny Zaramag Crossing
Marat Kambolov, the acting de facto leader of the occupied Tskhinvali region, met with Sergey Kiriyenko during Kiriyenko’s visit to Tskhinvali this week. According to the local news agency Res, the two discussed the region’s socioeconomic development, including modernizing healthcare and education, developing infrastructure, creating jobs, and attracting investment. They focused on the operation of the Nizhny Zaramag “border” crossing connecting to Russia, and ways to streamline border crossing procedures.
Later that day, Sergey Kiriyenko and Sergey Menyaylo, the head of Russia’s North Ossetia, visited the Nizhny Zaramag crossing. According to Res, Kiriyenko and Menyaylo discussed issues related to the further modernization and development of the crossing point on site. “This is one of the most strategically important facilities connecting Russia and South Ossetia. Hundreds of people cross the border every day. Thanks to the modernization, we will be able to significantly increase the checkpoint’s throughput capacity,” Menyaylo wrote on his Telegram channel.
- Kambolov Appoints Heads of Three ‘Ministries’ in Tskhinvali
Kambolov appointed heads to three local “ministries.” According to the local news agency Res, Radion Gabaraev was appointed “Minister of Internal Affairs,” Oleg Gagloev was appointed “Minister of Labor and Social Protection,” and Zaur Chochiev was appointed “Minister of Construction, Architecture, and Housing and Utilities.” Commenting on these appointments, Kambolov stated that he will continue to build his management team with local personnel. He emphasized that work performance will be the main criterion for appointment and retention of positions. Kambolov also noted that he does not intend to make personnel changes based on political considerations or affiliation with previous de facto administrations.
- Russian AI Used for Diagnoses in Tskhinvali
The Russian artificial intelligence platform, MosMedAI, has been implemented at a multidisciplinary medical center in the occupied Tskhinvali region for analyzing imaging studies. According to the local news agency Res, the decision to connect the center was made following a meeting between Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko and the region’s de facto acting leader, Marat Kambolov. “Now all fluorography images… are automatically sent to the platform, where they are analyzed in real time by artificial intelligence,” the report states. On the first day of the system being operational, the imaging data from 56 patients was analyzed. Plans are in place to connect other types of diagnostic equipment at the medical center to the platform in the future.
Also Read:
- 19/06/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – June 12-18, 2026
- 12/06/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – June 5-11, 2026
- 05/06/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – May 29-June 4, 2026
- 29/05/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali Digest – May 21-28, 2026
